BFGoodrich® Tires builds tires for any adventure, including those that take drivers off their daily roadways. Through the BFGoodrich Tires Outstanding Trails presented by 4 Wheel Parts program, that promotes sustainable and responsible off-road driving, BFGoodrich will once again award grants of $4,000 each to four qualified and passionate off-road clubs in North America. These clubs will use their grants to continue local efforts that preserve and protect their hometown trails. This is the 11th year of the program.

To date, Outstanding Trails has awarded grants to 40 off-road trails nominated by 38 local clubs throughout North America. The program has provided more than $150,000 in grants in support of these trail conservation efforts.

Nominations were accepted beginning March 28 through July 15, on the BFGoodrich Tires website at www.bfgoodrichtires.com. The competition invites off-road clubs from around North America to nominate local trails that merit grants for maintenance or refurbishing. Trails are selected based on uniqueness, terrain type and enthusiast support. BFGoodrich assembled a panel of judges comprised of four-wheel industry veterans to evaluate Outstanding Trails grant submissions.

BFGoodrich Tires 2016 Outstanding Trails Winners: During the course of the year, BFGoodrich Tires will be at club events associated with these trails to highlight the uniqueness of each location, educate off-road enthusiasts on the responsible use of the trails and present a $4,000 grant to each club to assist in the preservation of trail access.

· Sidewinder Trail, Gunnison, Colorado, Mile-Hi Jeep Club Sidewinder Trail is a trail managed by the Mile-Hi Jeep Club in Colorado. The trail is part of a network overseen by the Colorado Off Highway Vehicle Coalition. Mile- Hi Jeep Club maintains the Sidewinder Trail which is one of the only constructed technical four wheel drive trail of its kind in the West.

The club was formed in 1956 and currently has more than 400 members. The members divide into patrols that have specific roles to educate members in proper and responsible off-road driving. Mile-Hi plans to use the grant to further build the trail's technical challenges for extreme enthusiasts and improve signage on the route.

· Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway, Kentucky, Ohio River Four Wheelers This trail is a 98-mile loop that spans several counties through remote and scenic Kentucky including the Red River Gorge. The trail is growing rapidly in recognition and use. With this increased traffic, regular maintenance is needed. The Ohio River Four Wheelers club has been around for 25 years and takes pride in promoting safety on its trail rides and environmentally-conscious off-roading.

The club plans to use the grant to conduct any repairs that are needed and promote the trail in the region. They also will continue to uncover additional sections of unmaintained county roads that can be incorporated into the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway.

· 21 Road, Grand Junction, Colorado, Grand Mesa Jeep Club The Grand Mesa Jeep Club is the second oldest organization of its kind in Colorado. With more than 100 memberships, the club has adopted the 21 Road Trail and other local trails and is committed to its protection and maintenance. The Grand Mesa Jeep Club has "adopted' both the 21 Road trail and the threatened Great Basin Spadefoot Toad (the "21 Road Toad").

The club has committed to protecting the toad's habitat in at least 3 areas along the trail with posts and cable. 21 Road runs through several canyons in Grand Junction and often changes with extreme weather conditions. Grand Mesa Jeep club plans to use the grant money to work with the Bureau of Land Management to cable off critical habitat and increase signage to ensure proper off-road use of the trail. The club plans to build and outfit a trail support building to ensure tools and equipment is available for ongoing trail maintenance.

· Hagen Creek Trail, Yacolt Burn State Forest, Washington , Pistons Wild Motorsports Club Piston's Wild Motorsports was founded in February 2007 for the primary purpose of reopening public access to the 4x4 trails that were closed over 20 years earlier. The club started with just 2 families and has grown to almost 50 active and honorary family memberships. the club built three new 4x4 trails in 2014 and is on track to build three more 4x4 trails in the near future. The club membership is dedicated to being active stewards of the motorized trails in the Yacolt Burn State Forest from conception of the idea, through construction development and for ongoing maintenance to ensure the public's access to these trails into the future.

The club would like the opportunity to go back and "upgrade" the existing trails with some additional optional routes, increased and varied features with some new challenges and possibly create some inviting "social" areas to encourage wheelers to visit the area as often as possible.

About BFGoodrich Tires With more than 100 years of heritage, BFGoodrich® Tires is dedicated to providing high performance tires for those who have a passion for driving in virtually any environment. Combining technical expertise with 40 years of motorsports experience, BFGoodrich Tires delivers tires for a full range of driving experiences from ultra-high-performance street to off-road terrain with one common theme  extreme performance. Come upgrade your performance with BFGoodrich and see where our tires can take you at www.BFGoodrichTires.com, on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/BFGoodrichTires or on Twitter at @BFGoodrichTires.

About 4 Wheel Parts 4 Wheel Parts is the global leader in off-road truck, Jeep and aftermarket performance products. With 69 locations across the U.S. and Canada and growing, 4 Wheel Parts Service Centers install all the products they sell. Maintaining the nations largest inventory of off-road tires, wheels, lift kits, and accessories, 4 Wheel Parts serves customers across the country and around the globe. Life is Better Off-Road. Visit them at 4wheelparts.com or call toll-free 877-474-4821.

About United Four Wheel Drive Associations United Four Wheel Drive Associations is the worlds leading representative of all-brand, four wheel-drive enthusiasts. UFWDA benefits, developed and tested over the past 40 years, include four-wheel-drive safety and awareness education; such user ethics programs as adopt-a-road, conservation volunteer and volunteer trail patrol; assistance with new club formation; education seminars to aid four wheelers through complex state and federal programs affecting trail access; internet forums designed to instantly connect members globally; and access to its legislative advocate and nationally recognized attorney who works exclusively for four-wheel-drive enthusiasts to protect access and prevent road and trail closures. For more information on the UFWDA log on to www.ufwda.org

About the BlueRibbon Coalition The BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) is a national non-profit organization that champions responsible recreation and encourages a strong conservation ethic and individual stewardship, while providing leadership in efforts to keep outdoor recreation alive and well -- all sports; all trails. With members in all 50 states, BRC is focused on building enthusiast involvement with organizational efforts through membership, participation in the administrative process, outreach, education and collaboration among recreationists. BRC works with land managers to provide recreation opportunities preserve resources and promote cooperation with other public land users. BRC is recognized nationwide for its credible staff of landuse and recreation professionals, as well as a legal team with nearly 30 years of accomplishments. Learn more at www.BlueRibbonCoalition.org.

About the author

Advocating access to public lands carries a responsibility to be part of the solution for managing the public lands. As a strong proponent for participation to make a difference, I am a full time advocate for recreation and the Managing Editor of the OutdoorWire family websites.

4x4Wire.com is dedicated to the four wheel drive recreation featuring technical articles and information to promote, protect, and provide outdoor recreation opportunities. 4x4Voice.com focuses on California issues. MUIRNet.net is focused on environmental, administrative and legislative news and information. OutdoorWire.com is Access and Landuse Central with an overall index to the contents of the family of websites.

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